Date: August 18, 2021
Location/Route Map: Icefields Parkway (South)
Elevation: 2970 m
Elevation Gain: 1040 m
Distance: 14.3 km (including Jimmy Junior)
Rating: Class 2 - Easy
Notes: A straightforward scramble with absolutely stunning surroundings! Things start to get more interesting if combining with a traverse to Jimmy Junior...
GPS Track: Download
After being unable to scramble up a mountain the previous day (due to rain), and completing a couple of low elevation hikes instead (Glacier Lake and Cirque Lake), we woke up to the gift of clear skies! Jimmy Simpson and Jimmy Junior immediately came to mind, as they are known for spectacular views of the glaciated peaks rising from the Wapta Icefield! We jumped on the opportunity to bag two peaks in one day, in what could be just a 24 hour gap, before more of the smoke that's been dragging on all summer, rudely steals the views again!
Mount Jimmy Simpson to Jimmy Junior Route Map (see link in desciption - or click here - for interactive version).
Amazing view as we drive to the trailhead at Bow Lake! Crowfoot Mountain rises above a thick layer of cloud forming on Bow Lake.
A view of our objectives! Mount Jimmy Simpson rising center with Jimmy Jr. down to the left.
Entering the fog, as we start down the well-travelled trail to Bow Glacier Falls!
Spooky :o
The fog dissipates near the end of Bow Lake.
A little ways before reaching the falls, we left the trail and started ascending the ramp near the treeline (approximate route in red). Just right of this picture lies an open gully, which is easily ascended to a higher ramp.
A flattering view of the The Onion, as it rises above Bow Glacier Falls!
Rain low, meant snow high yesterday! Cirque Peak's got a good layer!
Once atop the gully, we traversed up, along ledges to the right.
A little bushy at times, but the route is straightforward, and the ledges soon lead to the upper valley!
Entering the upper valley! We are aiming for the col (in the center of this picture), with Mount Jimmy Simpson angling up to the right. Photo credit: Dad
For some reason we were both feeling extremely groggy and slow in the morning, but eventually (after sauntering along the upper valley) we reached the steep climb up to the col and were forced to wake up. The rock is pretty loose, and there are multiple places you can ascend. On our way up we stayed more center, while for descent, we found some signs of trail more to climber's right.
After the short steeper section, the slope eased off. We began angling to the right, up towards Jimmy Simpson, before reaching the col.
Hiking up the gentle slope that leads to the summit of Jimmy Simpson, as massive views open up behind us! Glaciated mounts Balfour and Olive rise to the left, with the pointy St. Nicolas Peak above The Onion and Iceberg Lake in the center.
The snow from yesterday is melting fast with the sun beating down!
Looking towards Caldron Peak (foreground center-left) rising above the barely visible Peyto Lake. Big Mounts Patterson (directly behind), Wilson (very distant center), and Murchison (distant center-right) rise behind.
Mount Noyes' unique pointy summit block, Mount Weed, and the connecting ridge to Silverhorn Mountain (from left to right)!
Observation Peak's got a lot of snow!
Recondite Peak pierces the sky in the distance!
Dolomite Peak (center) and Noseeum Peak (left) rise up across the highway.
Mount Andromache, Little Hector, and Mount Hector (from left to right). Bow Peak sits far right, at the base of Bow Lake.
Crowfoot Mountain's multiple peaks! The full traverse starts by ascending the lower, lighter brown North Peak in the front.
Mount Temple can't be missed...even with the haze.
Mount Balfour dominates the view in the center!
That's a lot of ice! Mount Gordon rises center.
Looking down towards Jimmy Jr. The second peak we are looking to bag today!
Four little glacial tarns lie about 500m directly below!
Mounts Rhondda and Habel rise from the icefield!
Mount Baker (hidden from the highway and from the tops of many other peaks around) stands out as one of my favourite views from Jimmy Simpson!
More glacial lakes! Mount Baker, Peyto Peak, Caldron Lake, and Mistaya Mountain (left to right).
Close up of the beautiful glacial tarn (complete with ice floats), nestled below Jimmy Simpson to the west!
Closer view of the equally eye-catching Caldron Lake!
Mount Thompson, with Portal Peak below-left!
Super cool glacial "waterfall" funnelling off from the Wapta icefield!
Uniquely shaped Bow Lake!
My dad, with the summit cairn on Mount Jimmy Simpson!
Me, with Mount Baker! Photo credit: Dad
Summit register!
Summit selfie!
Summit pano of previously unseen territory!
Time to head down to knock off another summit!
On our way back, we made a quick visit to the col (which we by-passed on ascent), before heading to Jimmy Jr..
On to Jimmy Jr.! (approximate route shown)
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